A nice 12 day vacation in Scotland starting from Edinburgh city (small and lively) where we spent 2 lively days touring the city by bus and walking in the lovely bylanes, saw the Edinburgh Castle too which gives a very nice panoramic view of the city and the coast.
Next was going further north to Braemar in the remote Cairngorms National park. We enjoyed walking and driving in the Cairngorms. First day was spent walking around the Muir of Dinnnet forest going to a naturally formed cave in the forest and then a lake (Loch Kinnord) in the opposite direction. Then we spent a pleasant evening in the amazing gardens of Balmoral Castle, a must see in this area.
Second day was spent walking around our hotel in Braemar. We went to a walk to the Birchwood forest below the Morrone Hill. It was a nice flat walk with nice greenary all around and the higher snow clad mountains visible. We even attempted the Morrone hill but had to abandon it due to rains.
The scenery was out of this world, difficult to expalin in words but photos do some justice, specially of the drive from Braemar to Glencoe via Tomintoul seeing the small but elusive Corgarff Castle between the highland mountains. It was almost like driving in the Ladakh - Changthang plateau with rolling hills of various shades of brown with 4*4 roads going up the mountains in an insanely steep gradient.
Glencoe is another nice village area in the highland mountains on the west coast. We stayed in a small Bed and Breakfast just 3 miles before Glencoe. Next day we went up the Nevis Range in a Gondola to a winter Ski area. We had nice views of the whole mountain area around Nevis range. Yohaan was the most happy since we trekked up 45 mins so that we can have a snow fight in the remaining Glacial melt of summmer. Fortunately this was a clearday enabling us to enjoy it to the max.
I felt very satisfied this evening since I was able to take Yohaan to a garden just 10 mins walk from our Hotel. What a view from the well maintained Garden at 9 PM light of the surrounding mountains. Never seen a garden with mountain views on all 4 sides. Yohaan enjoyed playing there to the max and I had to literally force him back to the hotel.
Next day I went to trek up the Pap of Glencoe. It is a short but steep climb up but you get amazing views of the surrounding mountains and lakes. I was fortunate that the weather opened up once I reached the top and I sat there soaking the sun and the amazing views. In the afternoon we went to an amazing fossil center on the Mallaig coastal road from Fort Williams. Had an amazing lunch at one of the road side Inns. Yohaan had a nice time seeing the fossils of dinasours like TRex etc.
Next day while driving towards Loch Lommond we took a nice stroll around the forested and amazingly scenic Glencoe Lochan (Lake) before going ahead. Loch Lomond was more of a relaxing stay with we going to the Baloch castle gardens and the Sea Aquarium where Yohaan enjoyed a lot again. The Inn where we used to go for dinner was amazing - with an old world charm, friendly bar tenders and nice food.
Thats all, my back suddenly went bad as usual and it was not that rosy for me now onwards. On the way back to Edinburgh we stopped at the Sterling Castle. I rested around the cafe while my wife and kid went to see the castle. Reached Edinburgh and rested for the day before taking train back to London.
Scotland has much to offer to any outdoor person and I would surely return here once more before coming back to India.
Photos:
Picasa: https://picasaweb.google.com/zenosh/20140531ScotlandWithFamily?authkey=Gv1sRgCOL3iLPC-sOpxgE#
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152478280926181.1073741861.595556180&type=1&l=3a03d9f712
Next was going further north to Braemar in the remote Cairngorms National park. We enjoyed walking and driving in the Cairngorms. First day was spent walking around the Muir of Dinnnet forest going to a naturally formed cave in the forest and then a lake (Loch Kinnord) in the opposite direction. Then we spent a pleasant evening in the amazing gardens of Balmoral Castle, a must see in this area.
Second day was spent walking around our hotel in Braemar. We went to a walk to the Birchwood forest below the Morrone Hill. It was a nice flat walk with nice greenary all around and the higher snow clad mountains visible. We even attempted the Morrone hill but had to abandon it due to rains.
The scenery was out of this world, difficult to expalin in words but photos do some justice, specially of the drive from Braemar to Glencoe via Tomintoul seeing the small but elusive Corgarff Castle between the highland mountains. It was almost like driving in the Ladakh - Changthang plateau with rolling hills of various shades of brown with 4*4 roads going up the mountains in an insanely steep gradient.
Glencoe is another nice village area in the highland mountains on the west coast. We stayed in a small Bed and Breakfast just 3 miles before Glencoe. Next day we went up the Nevis Range in a Gondola to a winter Ski area. We had nice views of the whole mountain area around Nevis range. Yohaan was the most happy since we trekked up 45 mins so that we can have a snow fight in the remaining Glacial melt of summmer. Fortunately this was a clearday enabling us to enjoy it to the max.
I felt very satisfied this evening since I was able to take Yohaan to a garden just 10 mins walk from our Hotel. What a view from the well maintained Garden at 9 PM light of the surrounding mountains. Never seen a garden with mountain views on all 4 sides. Yohaan enjoyed playing there to the max and I had to literally force him back to the hotel.
Next day I went to trek up the Pap of Glencoe. It is a short but steep climb up but you get amazing views of the surrounding mountains and lakes. I was fortunate that the weather opened up once I reached the top and I sat there soaking the sun and the amazing views. In the afternoon we went to an amazing fossil center on the Mallaig coastal road from Fort Williams. Had an amazing lunch at one of the road side Inns. Yohaan had a nice time seeing the fossils of dinasours like TRex etc.
Next day while driving towards Loch Lommond we took a nice stroll around the forested and amazingly scenic Glencoe Lochan (Lake) before going ahead. Loch Lomond was more of a relaxing stay with we going to the Baloch castle gardens and the Sea Aquarium where Yohaan enjoyed a lot again. The Inn where we used to go for dinner was amazing - with an old world charm, friendly bar tenders and nice food.
Thats all, my back suddenly went bad as usual and it was not that rosy for me now onwards. On the way back to Edinburgh we stopped at the Sterling Castle. I rested around the cafe while my wife and kid went to see the castle. Reached Edinburgh and rested for the day before taking train back to London.
Scotland has much to offer to any outdoor person and I would surely return here once more before coming back to India.
Photos:
Picasa: https://picasaweb.google.com/zenosh/20140531ScotlandWithFamily?authkey=Gv1sRgCOL3iLPC-sOpxgE#
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152478280926181.1073741861.595556180&type=1&l=3a03d9f712
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